Orthomolecular medical use of L-citrulline for vasoprotection, relaxative smooth muscle tone and cell protection

Abstract

This invention is a novel method in orthomolecular health to sustain favorable amounts of L-arginine efficiently within the human body for preservation of good health and amelioration of various disease states. The method provides administration of sizable amounts of L-citrulline as precursor substance for bioconversion to L-arginine in order to maintain greater blood plasma concentrations of L-arginine as potential substrate for various metabolic functions. The method is useful to increase the availability of substrate for nitric oxide production by constitutive nitric oxide synthases. Embodiments include uses of exogenous L-citrulline for more vasoprotection in sickle cell disease and atherosclerosis, more stability in circulating platelets, more relaxative smooth muscle tone during pregnancy and in achalasia, greater defense against angiostenosis after angioplasty, greater defense against oxidative stress, enhanced cell stores of creatine, enhanced fertility in males with oligospermia, and greater defense against osteoporosis.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of improving the health of a subject to increase the plasma level of arginine in the subject to a level from a low or normal fasting level to a level which is up to three times an average overnight fasting level, comprising orally administering a substance selected from the group consisting of L-citrulline and the calcium salt of L-citrulline. 
     
     
       2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject is in good health. 
     
     
       3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject has sickle cell disease. 
     
     
       4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject has sickle cell trait. 
     
     
       5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject has migraine. 
     
     
       6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject has migraine syndrome. 
     
     
       7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject has a condition selected from the group consisting of transient ischemic attack, ischemic stroke, and lacunar infarction of the brain. 
     
     
       8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject has a coronary disease. 
     
     
       9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the subject has coronary artery atherosclerotic disease. 
     
     
       10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the subject has coronary vasospastic disease. 
     
     
       11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject has peripheral atherosclerotic disease. 
     
     
       12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject has peripheral angiospastic disease. 
     
     
       13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject has tendency to angiostenosis after angioplasty or vascular grafting. 
     
     
       14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject is in the latter two-thirds of normal pregnancy. 
     
     
       15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject has toxemia of pregnancy. 
     
     
       16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject has spontaneous preterm labor. 
     
     
       17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject has male infertility with oligospermia. 
     
     
       18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject has male infertility with impaired sperm motility. 
     
     
       19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject has diabetes mellitus. 
     
     
       20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject is in a condition of increased or continuing brain or neural activities. 
     
     
       21. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject is in a condition of increased or continuing muscular activities. 
     
     
       22. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject has achalasia. 
     
     
       23. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject has chronic fatigue syndrome. 
     
     
       24. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject is in a condition of nootropic metabolic enhancement of mental performance. 
     
     
       25. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subject has osteoporosis. 
     
     
       26. The method according to claim 1, wherein citrulline is administered in a dosage range of from about 1.7 to about 20 grams per day. 
     
     
       27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the citrulline is administered at least twice daily. 
     
     
       28. The method according to claim 1, wherein the substance is administered in a form selected from the group consisting of: capsule, tablet and liquid. 
     
     
       29. The method according to claim 1, wherein the substance is the sole active ingredient administered. 
     
     
       30. The method according to claim 1, wherein the substance is administered with calcium carbonate as a second active co-ingredient.